Shah dismisses notion that BJP soft towards Naveen govt

Bhubaneswar: Dismissing notions that he was soft towards BJD government in Odisha, BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday said his party has stepped up its attack against Naveen Patnaik regime over chitfund and other scams and is confident of capturing power in the state after next polls.

“My party has been attacking the BJD government for its failure to ensure development in Odisha despite 14 years of uninterrupted rule. I have also criticised it for the series of scams like chitfund scandal that rocked the state,” Shah said.

Claiming that people of the state are angry, fed up and frustrated due to BJD’s misrule and scams, the BJP chief said the people are in fact reposing faith in the NDA government at the Centre.

Stating that the state BJP has been effectively carrying out an agitation against corruption, scams and scandals that rocked Odisha, Shah said party’s central leadership is fully backing them in their battle.

“The fight will certainly be taken to its logical conclusion and we are confident about BJP forming government in the state on its own after the next election,” the BJP president said.

Asked whether the party was reluctant to launch sharp attack on Naveen Patnaik keeping in mind BJD MPs in Rajya Sabha, Shah said in case of necessity there can be a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament and NDA would be ready with the requisite number.

On the demand for special category status to Odisha, he said there are other backward states also who seek this status and steps taken in coal and mining sector are aimed at ensuring development in these provinces.

Accusing BJD of putting up a poor show during its 14-year rule, Shah said only 14 per cent of the people in the state could get safe drinking water, while 22 per cent have toilets and 46 per cent live below the poverty line.

Noting that Odisha was rich in natural resources, Shah said iron ore, bauxite, chromite, dolomite, coal and other minerals are abundant in the state but BJD government failed to utilise them for the betterment and progress of people.

Stating that Modi government is determined for the development of the eastern states including Odisha, he said Centre has decided to go for auction route for leasing out mines to ensure growth of Odisha and other mineral rich states.

“Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal will get maximum benefits if the mines are put under auction,” Shah said, adding, the state would get additional revenue being generated from auction of the mines.